The ENTOUCH Blog

January 16, 2019

Retail Facilities Management Trends for 2019: The Year of the Customer

As explained by the Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM), reports PRWeb, the retail facilities management trends for 2019 reflect the greater diversity retail Facilities Managers will face in the journey to build positive customer experiences. While traditional retail focused on creating better shopping experience, modern retail is evolving at a record pace, including the use of new customer-facing technologies to create omnichannel experiences and streamline guest needs. As a result, Facilities Managers need to understand the top trends in retail and how they’ll affect their departments.

Healthcare Meets Retail to Offer Better, Faster Service

One of the biggest changes to come out of retail facilities management transfer 2019 involves the continuous crossing of healthcare facilities with retail establishments. The idea is simple; doctors’ offices are being built inside existing retail locations. This provides an ample opportunity for customers to improve their health and wellness, while still engaging in a shopping experience.

Cross-Promotional Partnerships of Retail and Restaurants

Cross-promotional partnerships are not necessarily limited to, healthcare either. Cross-promotional partnerships of retails and restaurants are becoming more prevalent as well. Even the typical grocery stores starting to become a blending of a restaurant and shopping experience, and major brands, like the cheesecake factory, are using the power of cross-promotional partnerships to increase customer experiences by offering service in malls and other retail locations.

Use of Batteries to Reduce Energy Costs

One of the easiest ways to gain control over retail facilities costs is to reduce the peak energy consumption, and new batteries are expected to be used in greater numbers through 2019. As a way of controlling when a store uses electricity. In other words, retail facilities that store energy during non-peak hours can reduce the added surcharges resulting from energy use during peak hours.

More Technology Will Drive Efficiency and Cost Avoidance

The use of more technology in the retail environment, such as analytics and proactive maintenance through connected systems, will help reduce facilities spend. Although this may not seem like it will have much of an impact on the customer, it will lead to lower price points for consumers.

Integrated Facilities Management Will Enable Omnichannel Experiences

Integrated facilities management is about combining all facilities management needs under a single umbrella, which QSI Facilities offers. In the age of omnichannel shopping experiences, the standard facility is simply outdated. Customers will want more options, like self-checkout kiosks, vast online order fulfillment vending machines, and much more. The only way to handle the continuous improvements in upgrades necessary for omnichannel experiences through integrated facilities management.

Greater Focus on Customer Feedback for Informed Decision Making

The customer will also play a vital role in the retail facilities management trends for 2019. While Facilities Managers have routinely relied on surveys and voluntary feedback from customers to rate the condition of their facilities, the ways customer feedback is obtained will change. Facilities Managers will become more focused on connecting with customers in the store, acting on information and feedback in real time. In addition, social media, and customers will play a role in making everyday decisions, as well as investment decisions.

Economic Growth Will Encourage More Remodels and New Construction

Economic growth will continue to push the need for more remodels and new construction in every corner of the country. When the country is doing well, retailers are more apt to remodel and expand their storefronts. At the same time, demand for e-commerce will naturally require more construction to handle greater order fulfillment needs.

TCO Will Be the Cornerstone of All Facilities Management Decisions

Since this is the age of Amazon, keeping prices and overhead under control is essential to staying competitive. It is not enough to give customers the best experience possible, and keeping all prices as low as possible and reducing overhead costs may be enough. In other words, maintaining control over the total cost of ownership of facility assets will be essential to staying competitive with Amazon, as well as providing the customer experiences that customers seek out when they have the option of ordering a product online.

Align Business Goals With Retail Facilities Management Trends for 2019 to Drive the Best Customer Experiences Possible

Retail facilities management is changing, and 2019 will see the dawn of new retail facilities management trends that are designed to improve customer experiences and keep overhead expenses under control. Facilities Managers need to start working to align business goals with these trends to develop the best experience as possible and stay competitive.